Full Day Private Tour: Essential Athens Highlights plus Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon
4.9
646 Ratings
Athens
Experience the best of Athens on a full-day private tour that includes the iconic Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, and more. Then, relax on a coastal road trip to the stunning Temple of Poseidon. Enjoy the comfort of a luxury Mercedes, knowledgeable tour driver, and personalized itinerary.
Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Acropolis - Our day in Athens begins with the Acropolis, the heart of life in Ancient Athens, encircled by its remarkable cyclopean wall constructed by the Mycenaeans millennia ago. The Acropolis is home to all the Temples, including the Temple of Athena Nike, the grand gateway (Propylaea), the Erechtheum, and the renowned Parthenon, the principal temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.
  • Theater of Dionysus - Regarded as the world’s oldest theatre, built in the 6th Century BC, this venue hosted the earliest performances of ancient plays by Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus, and Aristophanes, among others, and was the site of an annual spring drama festival.
  • Temple of Athena Nike - Situated atop the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena Nike (or ‘Victory’) is dedicated to the goddess Athena and was constructed around 420 BC. It is the earliest fully Ionic temple on the Acropolis.
  • Herod Atticus Odeon - A striking and fully restored Roman theater, completed in AD 161 and dedicated to the wife of a wealthy benefactor. The theater hosts a lively public program each summer.
  • Propylaea - The Propylaea is a classical Greek Doric building complex that served as the ceremonial entrance to the Acropolis, through which you will enter.
  • Erechtheion - An ancient Greek Ionic temple on the north side of the Acropolis, the Erechtheion is unique in its construction and was dedicated to the goddess Athena.
  • Parthenon - Widely considered a masterpiece of science, engineering, and culture, the Parthenon was dedicated to the goddess Athena and originally housed her impressive statue. Its decorative sculptures are regarded as some of the pinnacles of classical Greek art, some of which can be seen in the nearby museum.
  • Acropolis Museum - Explore the New Acropolis Museum, located adjacent to the Acropolis, which houses many masterpieces from the site.
  • Panathenaic Stadium - Also known as ‘Kallimarmaro,’ this stadium is one of the highlights of Athens, where the classic Marathon ends. It is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble.
  • The Academy of Athens - Stop at Panepistimiou Street for the Athenian Trilogy – the three elegant buildings: The University, The Academy, and The Library.
  • National Library of Greece - The National Library of Greece.
  • Hellenic Parliament - The Parliament and center of current political life in Athens.
  • National and Kapodistrian University of Athens - The University of Athens.
  • Temple of Olympian Zeus - A colossal temple at the center of Athens dedicated to the god Zeus, head of the Olympian gods. Construction began in the 6th century BC, and the temple housed a richly adorned statue, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
  • Arch of Hadrian - A classic triumphal arch built by the ancient Athenians for the Roman Emperor Hadrian, seen together with the Temple of Zeus in the same location.
  • Presidential Mansion - A short stop at the Neoclassical Maximos Mansion, also known as the Greek “White House.” It has been the official residence of the Prime Minister of Greece since 1982.
  • National Garden - Originally built as Royal Gardens for Queen Amalia, the National Gardens are a beautiful oasis in the city, running alongside some of Athens’ most prominent landmarks.
  • Plateia Syntagmatos - The main square of Athens, housing the Parliament building and the focal point of much of Athenian life and politics.
  • Monastiraki - Monastiraki Square, at the heart of the Old Town, is a vibrant center of life in the city.
  • Plaka - Leading from Monastiraki Square, the Plaka neighborhood is bustling with markets, bars, cafes, and restaurants.
  • Athens - LUNCH OPTION: (No street food) If you choose our lunch option during booking, you will enjoy a traditional 3-course Greek lunch.

During the summer months, our default location for lunch is by the sea in Sounion, and at other times, in Athens.

Please note that alcoholic drinks are not included.

  • Lake Vouliagmeni - Included in Greece’s NATURA 2000 Sites of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the thermal and mineral-rich waters of the lake have been a spa retreat for centuries.
  • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - At the tomb, you will witness the impressive changing of the guard ceremony, featuring the iconic ‘Evzone’ guards in their traditional uniform.
  • Glyfada Beach - An upscale suburb and the start of the Athens Riviera, offering wonderful sea views from our coastal route.
  • Lagonisi - One of the most beautiful stretches of coastal scenery in Europe. Elevated views out to sea, the rugged coastline, and the deep blue and contrasting greens of the landscape, along with the small settlements along the way, make this an amazing spectacle.
  • Temple of Poseidon - Located 70 meters atop a cliff at the tip of the Athens Peninsula, this magnificent temple was dedicated to the god Poseidon. It was the last thing ancient sailors saw when leaving port and the first sight on their return, with many legends to tell. It is especially beautiful at sunset and a perfect final location for your tour.
What's Included
  • Pre-purchased Acropolis ticket with skip-the-line service
  • Refundable cost for driver’s Acropolis ticket
  • Lunch by the Sea or in Athens with diverse options
  • Experienced Tour Driver with Historical Knowledge
  • First class transport: Mercedes Sedan/Minivan/Sprinter
  • All vehicles with WiFi, A/C, Chilled Bottled Water
  • Licensed Guide for Acropolis included for larger groups
  • Convenient pickup from Athens Hotel, Airbnb, or Cruise ship
What's Not Included
  • Athens Airport transfers or pickup locations outside Athens. Arranged on request [Additional cost]
  • Expert Guide for Groups of 1 - 7; Extended Guiding time. Available on request [Additional cost]
  • Admission for Acropolis & Temple of Zeus (35 Euro per person + 20 Euro per group). Payable to driver
  • Admission for the Acropolis Museum & Temple of Poseidon (20 & 10 Euro respectively). Payable at site
  • Food (unless selecting the Lunch Option)
Additional Information

Experience a personalised tour that takes you through Athens’ highlights then off to a scenic coastal drive to the Sounion peninsula, leading up to the breath-taking cliffside Temple of Poseidon. Enjoy your journey in a featured-packed Mercedes accompanied by a professional, experienced, and tactful driver. Stay connected with the free WiFi and stay refreshed with bottled water provided in the vehicle.

Explore landmarks such as the Acropolis, the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the Olympic Stadium, Parliament and witness the changing of the guards. After a delightful lunch, immerse yourself in the deep blue hues of the Aegean sea as you head off to the Temple of Poseidon.

Offering door-to-door return transfers exclusive to your group from your hotel or cruise ship, this relaxed and comprehensive tour is tailored to your pace, promising an unforgettable experience during your stay.

Opt for our simple lunch option for a tasty 3-course traditional meal overlooking the Acropolis in Athens, or beside the sea at Sounion. Alternatively, you could choose to hire a qualified guide with pre-purchased Acropolis tickets for an additional fee.

  • Groups of 1 to 7. ADDING AN EXPERT LICENSED GUIDE: Your knowledgeable tour driver will inform you en-route but can not enter archaeological sites. On request we can add a Licensed Archaeological Expert Guide to accompany you through the Acropolis and other Athens sites. Contact us by meessage after booking if you would like this addition
  • Groups of 8+. AN EXPERT LICENSED GUIDE: is included at the Acropolis only. Extended guiding to the other Athens sites on request.
  • TAILOR YOUR TOUR: If you would like to add a further site, such as the National Archaeological Museum, Omit one of the existing sites, or need an airport transfer for example then please let us know directly.
  • ROUTE. In order to provide the best experience for your day we reserve the right to alter the tour route or omit sites in the case of issues such as time constraints or local factors such as site closing times & road closures. For persons returning to Cruise ships, we recommend start times of 07:30 or 08:30 to avoid time pressure.
  • TOUR UPDATES BETWEEN MARCH 11th to 19th: Tour inclusions and exclusions were updated. For bookings made before this date your previous conditions apply at the time of your original booking.
  • SKIP THE LINE SERVICE. We purchase tickets in advance so you do not need to queue. Tickets are non refundable and for designated entrance times according to the policy of the Archaeological sites. Tickets are not included in the tour price, and the additonal cost per person of 35 Euro plus the administration fee of 20 Euro per group is payable to your driver in cash on the day of your tour. If you already have tickets, please inform us at least two days prior to your tour.
Location
Acropolis
Via Dionysiou Areopagitou Str.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(646 Ratings)
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Cristina_b
Jun 20, 2024
Athens comes to life - We had 2 guides Dimitri our driver and Lisa the tour guide. She has a degree in archeology. Her insight gave not only the history but the way of life and the artistry for the people who the temples were built for. Our driver was wonderful as well. He built a timeline that fit our needs. The car was impeccably clean and comfortable. The drive along the coast was stunning. He chose a lovely place for lunch which was family owned and right on the water. A perfect day.
Review provided by Viator
Jennifer_b
Jun 17, 2024
Great tour - The guide was amazing showing us and telling us the history of Greece. Very informative and interesting. The drive to Poseidon Temple was long but worth the view. One thing to note is the admissions tickets for the locations are not included and for us totaled ~60 euros per person.
Review provided by Viator
Brian_k
Jun 13, 2024
Awesome first class tour! - We ended up skipping the Poseidon monument as the city was very crowded with cruise ship passengers and traffic was very bad. Instead we opted to spend more time having lunch and walking around the Plaka neighborhood. Our van driver was the best Nico’s was very accommodating to ensure we had a great time. He timed it perfectly for us to have front row seats for the changing of the guards and we did not have to wait in the heat for it. Thank you!
Review provided by Viator
T7056ckkarenm
Jun 10, 2024
A not-to-miss experience! - If you only have a day or two Athens, this is the way to go. Nikolai, my driver, was kind, entertaining, personable, and caring. He took excellent care as he toured the city on my behalf. It was worth, too, adding on the services of a guide for the Acropolis. Betty was exceedingly accommodating, helpful, and provided excellent context and details to all that we saw.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paul_p
Jun 8, 2024
Great experience in Athens - Our tour driver and certified guide were both fantastic! They made the trip exciting, fun and informative. We were able to adjust our trip as needed to accommodate our schedule. Viator communication was also very good. Definitely recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Tallertwentyfive
Jun 3, 2024
Amazing Tour Operator! - We had a lovely experience. Our driver was ready and waiting at the allotted time, in a clean, roomy sedan – stoked with cold water. We spent the day driving to all the big spots, getting some history and context along the way. In retrospect, I don't know if I would have burned half the day driving way out to Temple of Poseidon. It was super cool, and we had a great lunch out on the coast. However, we only had one day in Athens, and that was a lot of time to burn on driving. If I could do it again, I would have stayed closer to Athens and hit more of those sites in the immediate area, and have more time to enjoy a proper cafe lunch and enjoy the culture and vibe of the city. Oh well... that was our mistake, and I would barely call it a mistake because we had a good time. Just something for others to consider... and 8 hour tour, and 3 of those hours are spent driving to one site that takes 30 mins to experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Steven_r
Jun 3, 2024
Best 1 day tour from Athens - We loved seeing the Acropolis and Acropolis museum and having a private guide for these sights was amazing! Lisa our guide was very knowledgeable and provided the perfect experience for the Acropolis. We also enjoyed seeing the Riviera and especially the lunch by the sea. Dimitris, our driver, was also excellent and able to provide for a safe and comfortable ride throughout the trip.
Review provided by Viator
Breckvisitor
Jun 1, 2024
Great choice for a one day condensed view of Athens - Excellent tour and driver went out of his way to be very accommodating and helpful. Very nice car and good location for lunch !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A7874yfwilliams
May 31, 2024
Great tour and informative - Dimitris was an informative friendly tour guide and driver who went above and beyond. It was evident that he has a passion for his job and the history of ancient Greece. Would recommend him and the tour to anyone looking to get an overview of athens and ancient Greece.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daniayers22
May 30, 2024
Petros made the tour great! - Petros is amazing. Beyond knowledgeable; he is a wealth of historical references and information. He was generous and kind. We travel a lot and have experienced a lot of guides and Petros is top tier. He was also very protective of us, making sure we didn’t overpay for things and giving suggestions. This was a highlight of our trip to Athens for sure. Petros deserves a raise!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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